Montreal , QC – April 16, 2010—At least 25 stagehands will now be represented by IATSE Local 56 in collective bargaining with Initiascene, a company which employs stagehands working at several performing arts and entertainment venues in the regional municipality of Therese-de-Blainville (a northern suburb of Montreal).

The local filed for certification on January 21, 2010. Initiascene did not contest the application and the Quebec Labour Relations Board issued a certificate on February 9, 2010. Foremost among the venues covered by the certificate is the 800-seat Lionel-Groulx Theatre, which offers a diverse program of theatre, concerts, blues nights, comedy, dance and films. Also covered are the 200-seat Sacré-Cœur church (which offers cabaret style entertainment, including intimate concerts and comedy), Lachaîne House (85 seats), the Blainville community centre (300 seats) and “any other venue operated by the employer in the regional municipality of Therese-de-Blainville”.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada, AFL-CIO, CLC  (IATSE) is one of the largest entertainment labor unions in the world and represents over 110,000 technicians, artisans and craftspeople employed in stagecraft, motion picture and television production, the trade show industry, and affiliated crafts throughout the United States, Its Territories and Canada.

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